Texans vs. Dolphins guide to the game: Injuries should not undermine likely rout

Rookie receiver DeVier Posey, a third-round pick, will get his most extensive preseason playing time. He fell behind Lestar Jean and Keshawn Martin and has no catches.

Rookie receiver DeVier Posey, a third-round pick, will get his most extensive preseason playing time. He fell behind Lestar Jean and Keshawn Martin and has no catches.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, who backs up Bradie James, always makes plays when he’s on the field. In his second season with the Texans, he’s a physical player who stuffs the run when it’s up the middle. less

Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, who backs up Bradie James, always makes plays when he’s on the field. In his second season with the Texans, he’s a physical player who stuffs the run when it’s up the ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Tight end Garrett Graham has been outstanding in preseason with seven catches for 141 yards, an average of 20.1 yards a catch. In his third season, he’s improved as a route runner and as a blocker. The Texans use two tight ends a lot, so he’ll get a lot of playing time. less

Tight end Garrett Graham has been outstanding in preseason with seven catches for 141 yards, an average of 20.1 yards a catch. In his third season, he’s improved as a route runner and as a blocker. The ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Cornerback Roc Carmichael, a fourth-round pick last year who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, must show the coaches he’s good enough to overcome so much talent ahead of him. He covers outside receivers and needs to impress. less

Cornerback Roc Carmichael, a fourth-round pick last year who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, must show the coaches he’s good enough to overcome so much talent ahead of him. He covers outside ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Running back Jonathan Grimes, an undrafted free agent from William & Mary, has enjoyed a terrific camp and preseason. He has 15 carries for 81 yards, a 5.4-yard average per carry. He wants to force the team to keep four players at his position. less

Running back Jonathan Grimes, an undrafted free agent from William & Mary, has enjoyed a terrific camp and preseason. He has 15 carries for 81 yards, a 5.4-yard average per carry. He wants to force the team to ... more

Photo: Bob Leverone / Associated Press

Texans vs. Dolphins guide to the game: Injuries should not undermine likely rout

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1. Will running back Arian Foster and outside linebacker Brooks Reed be able to play?

Coach Gary Kubiak said Foster, who has soreness in his “knee area,” and Reed, who has a sore hip, will be game-time decisions. Kubiak said both players will work out on the field before the game, then he’ll listen to the doctors and trainers before making a decision. After practice Friday, Kubiak sounded more optimistic about Foster than Reed. They want to avoid a situation like last year when Foster suffered a hamstring injury, returned too soon and aggravated the same injury. If he can’t play, Ben Tate will start and Justin Forsett will move up a spot. Rookie Whitney Mercilus would replace Reed.

2. Is Whitney Mercilus (above) ready to start after coming off the bench in preseason?

Mercilus, the first-round pick, led the defense with 3½ sacks in preseason. He plays the weak side, which is Connor Barwin’s position. If Mercilus is forced to start because of Brooks Reed’s injury, he’ll play the weak side and Barwin will play Reed’s position. Mercilus is smart, coachable, works hard and, of course, is loaded with ability. When he’s on the field, he’ll spend most of his time stopping the run and rushing the passer rather than dropping into coverage.

3. Will receiver Andre Johnson stay healthy?

That’s something just about every Texans fan is asking every game. Johnson points out that injuries are out of his control. When he plays, he plays like he always has. When he returned from hamstring injuries last season, he was outstanding. He was terrific in the playoffs. He averaged almost 20 yards on four preseason catches. He catches the ball down the field. He catches in traffic. He continues to get open despite double-team coverage on every play.

If he does, he’ll have the greatest season of any returner in history. He averaged 21.1 yards on punt returns, including two touchdowns. He averaged 39.9 yards on kickoff returns, including one touchdown. He fumbled twice and lost one. Now that it’s regular season, opponents will game-plan for him. If they have a kicker who can go deep on kickoffs, he can negate Holliday on kickoff returns. If they have a punter who can get hang time and direction, they can limit him on punt returns.

5. Will the Texans avoid coming out flat and risking an upset to a 13-point underdog?

Led by quarterback Matt Schaub, the Texans have too much veteran leadership on both sides of the ball to play down to the competition. This is their first game at Reliant Stadium since they defeated Cincinnati in the playoffs. Because they appear to be a Super Bowl contender, the fans are going to be jacked up. It’s the opening game for what’s expected to be the best season in the team’s 10-year history. Schaub, in particular, is especially excited to play because he missed the last eight games, counting two in the playoffs, because of his foot injury.

Texans players to watch:

J.J. Watt
Defensive tackle
Because of a dislocated elbow that caused him to miss preseason, he may be more fired up than anyone on the team. The last time fans saw Watt in a game was during the playoffs. In two games, he had 14 tackles, 3½ sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. If he picks up where he left off, he should be on his way to the Pro Bowl.

Derek Newton
Offensive tackle
The two-year veteran and former seventh-round pick is starting for the first time. He has got to replace Eric Winston (Kansas City), a salary-cap casualty. Newton (6-6, 318) beat out Rashad Butler for the starting job. He has improved each week. He’s much better at run blocking than he was as a rookie. Pass protection is most important.

Dolphins players to watch:

Ryan Tannehill
Quarterback
As a senior last year, the former wide receiver at Texas A&M became one of the top quarterback prospects in the country and was selected in the first round by Miami. His offensive coordinator is Mike Sherman, his head coach at A&M. Tannehill knows the system, but he needs help at receiver. Watch the Dolphins rely heavily on the running game.

Cameron Wake
Defensive end
He’s the Dolphins’ best pass rusher, recording 8½ sacks last season. At 6-3 and 258, Wake relies on quickness off the ball and to the quarterback. Will Wake’s coaches have him line up on the right side and oppose left tackle Duane Brown, the Texans’ best pass protector, or on the left side, where he’ll be blocked by first-time starter Derek Newton?